Celebrating Magna Carta at Hereford Cathedral
In commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in 2015, Hereford Cathedral celebrates the sealing of this historic document
through a year of exciting exhibitions, colourful banners, pop up displays, ‘hands on’ interactives and displays of original documents and
artefacts, featuring the Cathedral’s own 1217 Magna Carta. The exhibitions tell the story of Magna Carta, its legacy, and the part Hereford and
the people of the Marches played in its making, looking at life in the 13th century and charting the turbulent conflict between the Plantagenet
kings and their subjects.
Illuminated manuscripts from the Cathedral's chained library illustrate the law and justice of the time, and are displayed alongside other
documents from the reign of King John and his son, Henry III. Find out how the Hereford bishops, Giles de Briouze and Thomas Cantilupe (St
Thomas of Hereford), played a crucial role in the story as well as William Marshal and Pope Innocent III.
Hereford Cathedral celebrates this significant event with exhibitions, lectures, special services and evensong. There will also be a Magna Carta
themed re-enactment day at the cathedral, and Magna Carta will be celebrated at the 300 th anniversary of the Three Choirs Festival in July.
From Easter Hereford Cathedral welcomes a rolling programme of coach tour operators with booked groups taking part in the National Magna
Carta Tourism Trail.
Hereford Cathedral is normally open to visitors between 9.15 am and Evensong, to which visitors are warmly invited. However times may vary
for services and special events, so it is advisable to check the cathedral website at www.herefordcathedral.org, before visiting.
Celebrating Magna Carta at Hereford Cathedral
Date
January December
2015
Event
Cathedral Banners
Flags of Freedom
Where
Hereford
Cathedral Nave
Contact for further information
Evocative calligraphic banners in the Nave of Hereford Cathedral celebrating justice,
liberties and rights in an artistic installation.
23 March 30
September
2015.
Magna Carta Treasures Exhibition
Magna Carta: Icon of Justice - Pledge of Freedom
Mappa Mundi &
Chained Library
Exhibition
visits@herefordcathedral.org
Hereford Cathedral
visits@herefordcathedral.org
Two important Magna Carta items are housed in the Cathedral's Library and Archives
together with a wealth of other fantastic treasures. The Hereford Magna Carta, the
finest surviving 1217 charter, represents the most significant revision of the original 1215
document issued by King John’s son, Henry III. The Library also holds the sole surviving
copy of ‘King John’s Writ,’ a letter sent to royal officials across England from his meeting
with the barons at Runnymede in June 1215. The Writ, essentially the Magna Carta
‘covering letter’, instructs recipients to ensure the terms of the charter are made known
publicly, sworn to and kept.
This exhibition will feature Hereford's 1217 Magna Carta, displayed alongside other
documents, illuminated manuscript books and artefacts of the period. The display will tell
the story of how Magna Carta survived the attempt of King John to suppress it and will
explore laws of the time that the charter confirmed and created .
King John's Writ will be displayed as part of the British Library's major national
exhibition, 'Law, Liberty, Legacy' from March to August. It will be on display in Hereford
Cathedral in September. Details TBA.
23 March –
30
September
Cathedral Displays
Magna Carta: The Hereford Story
2015
A series of pop-up displays located around the cathedral, exploring Hereford's
connections with the Magna Carta story, and life in the 13th century. The exhibition is
ideal for families and schools, featuring 'hands-on' interactives and costumes.
23 March –
20 July
2015
Tuesdays
For Schools and Colleges
The dedicated Magna Carta Exhibition (Magna Carta: Icon of Justice - Pledge of Freedom)
will be opened to school parties on Tuesday mornings between 9.30 and 11.30. Booking
is essential.
The Mappa Mundi
and Chained Library
Exhibition at
Hereford Cathedral
education@herefordcathedral.org
phone 01432 376256
College Hall at
Hereford Cathedral
7.00 pm
Price: £5
library@herefordcathedral.org
phone: 01432 374226
Hereford Cathedral
library@herefordcathedral.org
For Key Stages 2 and 3
Pupils will look for 'King John' amongst the displays, and work sheets and will guide them
through the exhibition.
For Key Stage 4, VI form and college students
Magna Carta 'surgeries' will take place in the Cathedral Barn, followed by a visit to the
main exhibition, Magna Carta: Icon of Justice - Pledge of Freedom. These will begin with a
short lecture and will allow plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Thursday
April 16
2015
'Magna Carta and English History’
A lecture by Nigel Saul, Professor of Medieval History, Royal Holloway University
of London.
A wide-ranging and relevant talk by an authority on English late medieval history
exploring the anomaly of our non-constitution. In all his teaching and writing he lays
strong emphasis on generating interest in the past and making scholarly research
accessible to non-experts.
Tuesday
'The Hereford Magna Carta'
June 2nd
2015
A lecture by Nicholas Vincent , Professor of Medieval History, University of East
Anglia
Nave
7.00 pm
Price: £5
phone: 01432 374226
Evensong in the
Cathedral
3.30 pm
Cathedral Main Office
Phone: 01432 374200
In this lecture Nicholas Vincent, an authority on Magna Carta, will explain the
background to Hereford's role in the Magna Carta. He will talk about civil war and the
coming of peace to Herefordshire in 1217.
This lecture is co-sponsored by the High Sheriff of Herefordshire, Mr Edward Harley.
Sunday
June 14th
Evensong
Magna Carta Thanksgiving Evensong
Preacher, The Lord Lisvane KCB
Followed by:
Liber Teas
'Liber Teas' in the Cathedral Close:
Liber Teas in the
Cathedral Close
4.30 pm
Part of the national 'Afternoon Tea' event to celebrate the freedoms and rights of Magna
Carta
25 July – 5
August
2015
Three Choirs Festival
Saturday
15 August
2015
Re-enactment Day
Magna Carta Mayhem and Merriment
Various
info@3choirs.org
phone 0845 652 1823
Hereford Cathedral
education@herefordcathedral.org
phone 01432 376256
This year's 300th anniversary Three Choirs Festival will include talks and community
events reflecting the themes of Magna Carta.
A ‘Hands on History’ re-enactment day for families. This event, featuring colourful
costumed medieval characters, will include medieval music and activities for all the
family, with hats and cloaks to try on, and brass rubbing in the cathedral.